RUGBY LEAGUE: With their captain back from injury and at the helm last weekend, the Mackay Magpies were able to knock over the previously undefeated Wests Tigers.

This weekend they travel to Proserpine to face the Whitsunday Brahmans in a grand final rematch.

Magpies captain/coach Matt Temby said they hadn't managed to stomp the Brahmans on their home ground yet but hoped that would end this weekend.

"We are improving from the start of the year and the boys are slowly starting to gel,” Temby said.

"Last week was just a step in the right direction.”

But with only seven premiership players from last year, Temby knows it will be a tough game.

"This is probably the hardest road trip in the competition,” he said. Having played a few seasons with the Brahmans about four years ago, Temby has some insight into the game.

"Whitsunday have a good forward pack,” he said.

"Phil (Ramage) is always dangerous, he has a good kicking and running game.”

Temby said new player, Rainer Powrer, was also dangerous at fullback.

The key to Magpies getting the win will be controlling the ball. "It's still our major problem... we held it pretty well last week and were much better in defence,” Temby said. "If we do the little things right, hopefully the rest will come.”